by Jill Diffenderfer | Jan 4, 2019 | Events, Rocking Chairs
Out of sheer boredom, George Martin, while volunteering in Honduras, began to carve a perfectly-proportioned, small replica of a fishing boat used in the seaside town of Santa Fe. As he carved, a small crowd of excited onlookers gathered. These onlookers had never seen a miniature replica. George eagerly shared what he knew with them. Those who trained with George in Honduras gained woodworking skills that enabled them to sell their woodcrafts in local markets, more than doubling their family income. Unknowingly, George Martin had taken his first step in creating George’s Woodcrafts.
On January 6th and 11th, 2019, the second generation will represent George at the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show. The George’s Furniture team will greet visitors and story-tell at the Pennsylvania Hardwood display—an interactive display showcasing the forest products industry.
Come and find the George’s Furniture family in the Main Hall at the Pennsylvania Hardwood Booth. George’s Furniture will be on the Secondary Processors stage on Sunday (January 6th) from 2:30 to 8 PM. On Friday (January 11th), find George’s on the Unique Wood Products stage at the Pennsylvania Hardwood booth from 2:30 to 8 pm.
George’s Furniture will showcase its famous no-tip rocking chair, as well as provide photos and handouts of some of our other products. This is the second year that George’s Furniture will participate in the Pennsylvania Hardwood exhibit at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Last year, George’s Furniture featured a white oak cutting board, a red oak foot stool and end table, a black walnut table, and a hickory coffee table with matching end table in the display.
George’s Furniture believes in incorporating earth-friendly processes into furniture-making, and doing our part in preserving our natural resources. Telling our story and sharing our environmentally-friendly furniture making process with visitors at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show is sure to be a treat! We can’t wait to see you there!
by Jill Diffenderfer | Dec 4, 2018 | George's Furniture, Tables
Nothing compares to the excitement and joy of the holiday season! Perhaps the biggest part of the holidays is gathering around the table for a meal together. Sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s large groups and sometimes small. No matter who is gathered around the table, the times of gathering are precious.
A recent study revealed that 40% of American families eat dinner together only three or fewer times a week. This means that the act of gathering around the table for the holidays is even more special. It provides a unique opportunity for families to connect with each other and to make memories for years to come.
A study by the American College of Pediatricians shows that the simple act of sharing a meal together has the following overall benefits in children and teens:
Academic: Teenagers that dine around the table are more likely to get better grades. Aside from this, children expand their vocabulary based on how they hear words used in conversation. In addition, researchers have found a link between early childhood language experiences and literacy skills in high school.
Nutrition: According to the American College of Pediatricians, children who eat their meals at the table have healthful dietary patterns and are more likely to eat healthier foods.
Less screen time: Family dinners naturally reduce the time that children and teens spend looking at their screens and increase the time that they spend interacting with each other.
Reduced risk: Teens who eat regular meals at the table have a decreased risk of drug, nicotine, and alcohol use and are less likely to choose friends who use these products. In addition, eating meals around the table reduced the teenagers likelihood to engage in sexual activity and/or struggle with depression.
Positive relationships: Frequent family meals around the table results in a higher likelihood of having excellent relationships within the family unit. In fact teens were twice as likely to have good relationships with their fathers and siblings, and one and half times more likely to have an excellent relationship with their mother.
Reduced Stress: Emotional stress is also reduced with the simple additional of family meals around the table. In fact, 71% of teenagers studied said they “consider talking/catching up, and spending time with family members as the best part of family dinners”.
Satisfaction: Additionally, teens who ate frequent family meals were shown to be more helpful and trusting, have fewer behavioral and emotional problems, and ultimately, have a higher satisfaction with life, regardless of financial status.
Editor’s Note: To view the complete study, click here.
With these benefits in mind, the table becomes that much more important, not just for the holidays, but for the ins and outs of daily life.
At George’s Furniture, we treasure those times around the table. To us, a table means stability, strength, spontaneity, and assurance. Just as something as simple as eating meals around the table can literally change your life, the table itself can become a precious family heirloom for years to come.
Whatever your style, no matter how many seats you need, a George’s Furniture table can become that special place. Not just for the holidays, but for the every-days.
So, gather around the table and enjoy many happy holidays from all of us at George’s Furniture!
Please enjoy one of our favorite recipes as you gather around your table this holiday season. Simply right click to download the image for printing or visit Taste of Home. As always, you are welcome to visit George’s to discover the quality and craftsmanship behind each table and chair we create. Click here to schedule your tour today!
by Juanita | Dec 1, 2018 | Ava Lee's History Corner, Events, George's Furniture
In November of 1968, I married George, a farmer with woodworking interests. Our first year was spent in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. A veneer factory, that gave away their scraps of veneer, provided material for making baskets and lampshades. George walked the forests looking for interesting shapes of wood for making live edge lamp bases.
A year later, back in Pennsylvania, George worked in a sawmill. In his spare time, George cut his own trees, drying the lumber and making crosscut stools and log benches.
In 1970, he made his first piece of furniture, a high chair for daughter, Juanita. He built a portable building for a showroom and moved it to a prime tourist area in Lancaster for the summertime. He sold hand-turned lamps, stools and nameplates, made while the customer waited.
As the family grew, he made side chairs and later a table. Remembering his experience of tipping over his Mother’s rocking chair, he proceeded to design one that would doesn’t tip over. I recall his excitement when he came home that day and said, “I know that God guided my hand when I designed that rocking chair”.
So a hobby transformed into a business. He found talented employees and the news of quality furniture spread across the country. Loyal customers continued to share their love for furniture. Looking back at the steps we took and the opportunities that came our way, our engagement motto couldn’t be more true, “Looking unto Jesus, We Follow”.
by Jill Diffenderfer | Nov 21, 2018 | Forestry Management, George's Furniture
At George’s Furniture, we believe that incorporating earth-friendly processes into our furniture-making and doing our part in preserving our natural resources ensures the success of future generations.
According to Dan Meyer, editor of the Hardwood Weekly Review, hardwood growing stock inventories were 3 to 12% higher in 2017 than 10 years earlier in each of the four subregions of the East. Additionally, East-wide volumes were up 7%. What does this mean to us and to you, our valuable clients?
It simply means that despite a 10-year depression in global demand, as a nation we are turning that depression around by increasing active management of our hardwood forests to ensure their health, productivity, and sustainability.
At George’s, we are very conscious of our natural resources. Our shop is set up to make the most of each slab of wood that comes through our door. By streamlining our process to eliminate our woody waste, we do our part to ensure that not only are you getting the best quality in solid wood furniture but that our environmental footprint is minimal.
Using hardwoods native to our region such as Cherry, Red Oak, Maple, and Black Walnut goes a long way in ensuring both quality and low environmental impact. We take extra measures to ensure that our wood is harvested at the right time and to rigid specifications. We slow dry our rough-sawn Black Walnut in our own kiln and moisture check the commercially dried Cherry, Oak and Maple. Why? Because, if not dried properly, the wood may form stress cracks that result in costly waste. Additionally, any moisture that remains in the wood after drying can lead to loose joints and warping. This would be a disservice to you, our client, and to the environment.
Throughout the design process, our craftsmen are conscious of minimizing waste. Our craftsmen thoroughly review the design and carefully select the wood that will be used to create the requested piece. Each board is processed with care, while legs or finials are hand-turned on a lathe. Meticulous attention is paid during the assembly process to ensure a proper fit and finish.
If you would like to learn more about our environmentally-friendly furniture making process, please contact us to schedule your personal tour. We look forward to seeing you soon!
by Juanita | Sep 29, 2018 | Accessories, Events, Gifts
Summer is winding down, and while we LOVE all things summer here at George’s Furniture, we’re ready for cooler days and fall treats. We’re excited for all the great fall festivals and activities happening all over the county. One such fun event is The Best Kept Secret Tour which is scheduled for October 4th – 20th.
What better way to explore Lancaster Country then visiting hidden treasures like jewelers and boutiques to wineries, farmers markets, and creameries!
So while we can’t say who all is participating we’re happy to give you a minuscule hint…. Your favorite handmade furniture store is in the lineup! That’s right, George’s Furniture is excited to be one of over 40 tour stops on The Best Kept Secrets Tour of Lancaster!
Stop by our showroom for a ticket/tour bag to discover the hidden secrets of Lancaster County. Only ticket holders will see the 40 businesses selected. Each tour bag includes a guide and coupons along with many items from the participating shops.
While exploring, each tour-goer will experience a wide range of entertainments, gifts, refreshments, raffles, tours, demos, and games. A Best Kept Secret tour sponsored drawings for over $1,100 in gifts cards is part of the secret! Tour bags are $10 each and limited in quantity. Visit our showroom at Georges Furniture, 9 Reich’s Church Rd, Marietta, PA or reserve your bag by calling 717-426-1004.
Showroom Hours M-Sa 9-5. Wood Shop tour hours M-TH 9-4, F 9-2.
We look forward to seeing you in October!.
by Juanita | Sep 22, 2018 | Accessories, Events, Gifts
The Sugarloaf craft show season will be here before you know it and George’s Furniture is thrilled to be part of it again this fall. We meet so many wonderful people and we have so much fun showing off all the wonderful pieces we’ve created.
The Festival brings together over 300 talented artists from across America displaying their creations and attracts over 200,000 total shoppers each year. Shoppers enjoy the unique experience of fine craftsmanship all under one roof and can choose to come for one day or all three. Come meet the artists who are excited to share their passion!
Discover Skilled Artists near you!
2018 Schedule:
October 12-14, Timonium, MD
October 19-21, Chantilly, VA
November 2-4, Oaks, PA
November 9-11, Edison, NJ
November 16-18, Gaithersburg, MD
December 7-9, Chantilly, VA
Some items you can look forward to seeing this year from George’s Furniture.
This year we’ll be showcasing our NEW LED light. The Cascading Lamp features a levered construction with an LED light illuminating the natural wood grain of the levels below. This design is reminiscent of the beautiful style found at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters House.
Display a favorite picture, medal, or keepsake on the smaller shelf while enjoying the ambient light and natural beauty. The levered design is also available as a modern wall shelf.
Our world famous extension table will be on display, come experience an extension table that begins as a 4 person table for small gatherings but can later extend over 13 ft with ease and gracefulness to accommodate families and friends. Our table is so easy to open, you simply just grab the end of the table and open the table to your desired length. Seating everyone around one table has never been easier and more comfortable. Stop by our booth to see first hand the natural wood grain beauty and craftsmanship characteristic of George’s furniture.
If you can’t make it out to the festival this year, don’t worry! We’re happy to meet you in our showroom and show you these lovely items one-on-one.
Hope to see you out at the Festival!
by Juanita | Sep 7, 2018 | Accessories, Customization, RV Furniture
For many adventurous travelers, RVing is a way of life and has proven to be a relaxing and rewarding experience! Whether you’re taking a weekend trip to the beach or an extended drive cross-country, the places you can see and enjoy in an RV are endless.
So while RVing is a great way to get out on the open road, we’ve heard from many RV owners that they face some challenges while exploring the world. What’s one of the biggest challenges? Believe it or not, it’s STORAGE! Where do you store all the essentials? Especially those big bulky items that don’t fold or bend. From frying pans to kettles, the lack of storage for these awkward items can be frustrating. This is where our new custom RV Butler comes in and is ready to ease your storage woes.
A customized butler handmade by our skilled craftsmen at George’s Furniture is designed to meet your specific needs. We’ll work with you to make sure you get the perfect fit. All we need from you are measurements of your largest items you would like hidden away and George’s designers will take it from there, creating a unique one-of-a-kind butler for your RV. 
Not only does the butler help with storage, the top also increases your workspace while conveniently storing those large items and essentials keeping them close at hand when you need them. A handy door on both sides of the butler allows for access from either side. And of course, the RV Butler wouldn’t be complete without the adjustable shelf inside that allows for ever-changing storage requirements.
This butler is designed to fit into your unique space and can be accessorized. For example, combine your new piece with a table, and store in your dining area. To save on space, you simply place the table on top of the butler and secure them to the floor.
So as you plan your next great RV adventure, let us take care of those storage woes. Visit our showroom or contact us today and we will design an RV Butler just for you! Want to see our new RV Butler in person? We’ll be debuting this beautiful piece at the PRVCA, America’s Largest RV Show, September 12-16, 2018 in Hershey, PA at the Giant Center.
by Juanita | Sep 5, 2018 | Team Bio
Juanita Horst is the proud owner of the family-run George’s Furniture. She initially started getting involved in the furniture making industry while assisting her father with work in the woodshop and helping at craft shows. Later, she strengthened her communication abilities by assisting in customer service and answering phones in the showroom. She also became heavily involved in website design and other computer needs. Juanita has now dedicated 15 years to George’s Furniture and loves every minute!
Her favorite part about working at George’s Furniture is being able to share the quality of their handcrafted solid wood furniture with their customers. She absolutely loves hearing comments like “Wow! That is a long table” or “quality handcrafted furniture is still being made today” or “that’s a strong table.” Seeing the excitement when customers realize that furniture can be constructed out of 100% solid hardwood, signed and dated by one craftsman, made their way is truly a treat. Juanita thoroughly enjoys providing woodshop tours and helping customers with their design ideas to bless their home for many years to come.
The most interesting experience that Juanita has had during her 15 years was being able to transform the George’s website and set up their accounting and customer records digitally. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking and reading.
Head into George’s to say hello to Juanita and the rest of the team during your in-depth woodshop tour!
by Juanita | Aug 28, 2018 | George's Furniture
At the age of 10, George Martin had an extensive interest in woodworking. In response to a mishap with his mother’s rocker, he designed a rocking chair that would not go over backward. George decided to turn his love for the woodworking craft, that started as a hobby, into a thriving business that would soon be passed down through generations.
George founded George’s Woodcrafts in 1970 which specialized in handcrafted, solid hardwood furniture for customers who appreciated quality construction. Since 1975, the business has operated at the present farm located just outside of the historic Maytown, in Lancaster County, PA.
George’s passion was evident as he related to his customers. He loved sharing his ideas and details of solid hardwood furniture crafting with everyone. Hobby woodworkers indulged in his extensive knowledge and spend hours listening to his stories. Visit our video page for a first-hand experience as George narrates and shares his passion for woodworking.
In 2008, George reached retirement and turned his business over to his talented daughter Juanita and husband Chris Horst. Both Juanita and Chris have gone on to carry along the family legacy and share the dedication to quality that George’s customers have come to expect.
To learn more about us, visit us for an in-depth tour of our facilities!
by Juanita | Aug 21, 2018 | George's Furniture
Here at George’s, we pride ourselves on our deep Lancaster County roots and having a craft that has been passed down through generations. We love when visitors stop in for a woodshop tour to learn more about us. Schedule your today!
Our tours offer a fun and informative experience that takes you through a guided tour of our woodshop and showrooms. Knowledgeable tour guides offer an in depth look at how George’s Furniture is handcrafted by one craftsman, one piece at a time.
While we would LOVE to meet each of you in person, we know that not all of you will be able to stop in for a tour. If you are unable to stop by, we encourage you to visit our website and view our videos detailing a previous tour we provided for PNC Tours!
Our tour hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm, and Friday from 9 am – 2 pm.
